Could the meme be over as we know it?A measure proposed by a group of European lawmakers could drastically change how we view content on the internet, including memes. The group has already approved Article 13 of the proposed EU Copyright Directive, which would force websites such as Reddit or Facebook into screening content for copyright infringement. As a result, viral content such as memes or mashups could soon be a thing of the past. The article requires those sites have technology that would scan for copyrighted videos, images and posts, according to Business Insider.If the article becomes law, writes Business Insider, then users would not solely be responsible for the stuff that they post. It could also mean that internet firms would police content on the web. But a person who is familiar with the legality of these laws said that it might not be that cut and dry. “ provision as it currently stands would only require this where the operator has an agreement with right holders for the use of the right holder’s content on the platform, or where right holders identify materials they want to prevent from being available on the platform,” said Ron Moscona, a partner at Dorsey and Whitney law. Websites like Reddit would have to have an agreement with filmmakers, photographers or other images rights holders, which doesn’t normally happen.

Could the meme be over as we know it?

A measure proposed by a group of European lawmakers could drastically change how we view content on the internet, including memes.

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The group has already approved Article 13 of the proposed EU Copyright Directive, which would force websites such as Reddit or Facebook into screening content for copyright infringement.

As a result, viral content such as memes or mashups could soon be a thing of the past.

If the article becomes law, writes Business Insider, then users would not solely be responsible for the stuff that they post. It could also mean that internet firms would police content on the web.

But a person who is familiar with the legality of these laws said that it might not be that cut and dry.

“[The] provision as it currently stands would only require this where the operator has an agreement with right holders for the use of the right holder’s content on the platform, or where right holders identify materials they want to prevent from being available on the platform,” said Ron Moscona, a partner at Dorsey and Whitney law.

Websites like Reddit would have to have an agreement with filmmakers, photographers or other images rights holders, which doesn’t normally happen.